Carp Fishing as Beginner

[Carl_1993]

Good morning all,

I had a break away from fishing for a good 7+ years and have only pole fished prior. I went on holiday and found my love for the sport again and on my return, quickly bought a Preston Edgemonster Pole. I've been to the bank every weekend since with some good results fishing down the margin.

However, they've been a few carp which I suspect in lower 20s which just eat all of the elastic and I never see them! The easiest solution to this, would be to upgrade my elastic to Hollow and possible uprate it from 12 to 16 - 18. Albeit knowing this, it really got the fire going in my belly to start Carp Fishing.

I've never used a rod and reel due to starting the sport early and not having anyone around me that Rod and Reel fished so stuck to the pole as it was easy to transport, get down to the bank, put on a pre-made rig and catch some Fish.

I've put below my fishing shopping list (I already have unhooking mat, net, degorger etc)

https://puu.sh/ECyb4/2b222a415d.png
https://puu.sh/ECyaT/48b6a9f1bd.png
https://puu.sh/ECyaz/7b2d50a097.png
https://puu.sh/EBzCi/8dcb38e4ef.png

So really, the purpose of this post is: Is there any tips you could pass on to a new beginner? Also, is there anything missing from my shopping list which I should add or change?

I really do appreciate the help - the reason I went for the 2.75TC was due to wanting to feel the fish more, I don't expect to cast out far to begin with, so possibly a different reel would be better for the smaller lakes.

Look forward to all the responses!

 

[stillwater blue]

Why not say what's on your list rather than add links? .png links aren't always safe to open

 

[Carl_1993]

Why not say what's on your list rather than add links? .png links aren't always safe to open

I could do if you prefer, was purely do to people not wanting to read long lists, becomes tedious. Alternatively, I'll embed the images.

 

[Carl_1993]

New image as forgot to upload in original reply

 

[john step]

Is this a commercial with lots of carp? Is it relatively snag free. If so and presumably you are hooking bigger carp at pole distance I doubt you will need a 2.75 TC rod and 10000 size reel. You wont possibly need to have a rod that will cast a heavy lead to the horizon? You could find more enjoyment catching them on a lighter rod and reel. Maybe a 1.75 avon type and a 4000 size reel. There are dual top rods in this type that give you the option of a quiver top and a straight top. Float fishing for the lumps as well as a ledger set up.
8 to 10 lb bs would be more than adequate if they are really that big.

If you are hooking them on a pole they will almost certainly oblige on a float. A simple set up with quickstop hooks for meat/pellet etc or just a simple waggler with the best carp bait in the world...sliced bread.

Tight lines.

Edited.........PS Let us know what you decide and use the thread HOW DID YOU GET ON. Please dont be one of those folk who enrol ask some questions then disappear.

 

[steve2]

This is one of those questions that can't really be answered unless you give some idea of the waters you will be fishing.

 

[Carl_1993]

This is one of those questions that can't really be answered unless you give some idea of the waters you will be fishing.

Apologies - To begin with I was going to fish at Makins fishery so commercial, relatively snag free on their specialist lake as opposed to their pleasure lake with the pole. If I then continued to enjoy the fishing I was going to move to larger lakes like Abbey Lakes The official UK website ABBEY LAKES - Welcome

Hope that helps answer your question

 

[Carl_1993]

Is this a commercial with lots of carp? Is it relatively snag free. If so and presumably you are hooking bigger carp at pole distance I doubt you will need a 2.75 TC rod and 10000 size reel. You wont possibly need to have a rod that will cast a heavy lead to the horizon? You could find more enjoyment catching them on a lighter rod and reel. Maybe a 1.75 avon type and a 4000 size reel. There are dual top rods in this type that give you the option of a quiver top and a straight top. Float fishing for the lumps as well as a ledger set up.
8 to 10 lb bs would be more than adequate if they are really that big.

If you are hooking them on a pole they will almost certainly oblige on a float. A simple set up with quickstop hooks for meat/pellet etc or just a simple waggler with the best carp bait in the world...sliced bread.

Tight lines.

Edited.........PS Let us know what you decide and use the thread HOW DID YOU GET ON. Please dont be one of those folk who enrol ask some questions then disappear.

Hi John,

Thank you for getting back to me! You may find the answer to your question from my comment to Steve. Which I hope helps, and I appreciate your feedback!

Once I've decided I'll post in the HOW DID YOU GET ON thread

 

[Hertsbloke]

As a recent returnee to angling, i bought a basic float rod and reel.

After a couple of trips to a commercial,I then bought a Maver 11’ feeder rod and Daiwa matchwinner reel.

I would cheerfully fish for Carp to 20 using this gear with a method feeder .

There seems to be a lot of over complication for smaller carp fishing,everyone seems to think you need the full ten yards of bivvy etc to catch fish.....
Or is just suppliers being better at catching the angler these days ?

 

[john step]

I have been thinking about this thread today. Without being patronising, how experienced are you? To go from only ever having used a pole to big carp is a mighty leap. Makins to Abbey Lakes a similar jump.

To do justice to the big carp waters and the cost of fishing them you would need the full kit including alarms, multiple rod and reels and a bivvy unhooking mat etc and a big wallet and a lot of patience especially as things are slowing down now the water is cooling.

If it were me I would serve my apprentiship on waters like Makins, getting confidence in landing and the correct care and handling before deciding on the next stage.
Just a thought?

 

[Carl_1993]

I have been thinking about this thread today. Without being patronising, how experienced are you? To go from only ever having used a pole to big carp is a mighty leap. Makins to Abbey Lakes a similar jump.

To do justice to the big carp waters and the cost of fishing them you would need the full kit including alarms, multiple rod and reels and a bivvy unhooking mat etc and a big wallet and a lot of patience especially as things are slowing down now the water is cooling.

If it were me I would serve my apprentiship on waters like Makins, getting confidence in landing and the correct care and handling before deciding on the next stage.
Just a thought?

Pod Rod and Alarms I've got, plus Bivvy and unhooking mat.

The whole idea as I've already said was to serve my apprenticeship on waters like Makins, then if I enjoyed it, move onto those bigger lakes. When I posted in here, I've not only not had any answer to the question I actually asked, even though answering further questions people have had.

I even specifically said exactly what you mentioned above

If I then continued to enjoy the fishing I was going to move to larger lakes like Abbey Lakes The official UK website ABBEY LAKES - Welcome

You asked me to post in the 'HOW DID YOU GET ON FORUM' but It's fairly impossible when I've not actually had any answers to assist in the purchase. The title of the post is 'Carp Fishing Beginner' I mean, pretty self explanatory.

So I appreciate your multiple posts John, but I'll most likely not return.

Ultimately, I was talking about Carp Fishing in general rather than next week, even if I wait until the weather is warmer as to make catches on the smaller lakes easier to come by to learn the trade.

 

[john step]

Did anyone mention posting on HDYGO NEXT week? You say you havn't used a rod and reel. You wanted advice. You are obviously inexperienced but know a lot. Good luck, over and out.

 

[steve2]

I never got round to answering your question simply because I don't fish for carp. I have no experience in fishing the waters you fish or the methods you use.
I would suggest that you would get all the answers you need by reading and viewing other websites and You tube.

 

[John Keane]

To the OP, I’m coming to this a bit late, but did it not occur to you that buying a margin pole called “Edgemonster” and putting No 12 solid elastic in it was a bit of a bad idea?

 

[Hertsbloke]

To the OP, I’m coming to this a bit late, but did it not occur to you that buying a margin pole called “Edgemonster” and putting No 12 solid elastic in it was a bit of a bad idea?

I think the OP has left the building sadly....

 

[markcw]

It could be a wind up. Preston Innovations have never made a pole called the Edgemonster. Also the elastic would have adequate in a snag free margin using the side puller on topkit of the pole.

 

[John Keane]

It could be a wind up. Preston Innovations have never made a pole called the Edgemonster. Also the elastic would have adequate in a snag free margin using the side puller on topkit of the pole.

Preston make the Edge Monster (stupid name, but true)

 

[markcw]

I stand corrected, I was thinking of the Response margin pole , which i am thinking of getting, The edge monster seems reasonable price at £134 ,compared to £250 for the Response.

 

[John Keane]

I stand corrected, I was thinking of the Response margin pole , which i am thinking of getting, The edge monster seems reasonable price at £134 ,compared to £250 for the Response.

Poles that come with top kits with side pullers fitted are a great idea. The Shimano Beastmaster Margin doesn’t but it has reinforced sections to fit your own. I’ve done 3 of my top kits with the Middy Click-In PTFE bush and it’s dead easy.

 

[markcw]

Good pole the Beastmaster ,John, What do you reckon to the middy side bushes compared to the preston ones, I have just sold a 16 metre Middy XZ65-2 pole with bottom pullers, the topkits on that could be drilled to take side pullers.